CUMBRIAN BATTLE FOR SECOND SPOT

By Bill Gardner
Having wrapped up their second consecutive Premier Division title with a few games to spare, Walker Central have determined not to take their foot off the accelerator. John Campbell bagged his 33rd league goal of the campaign on the hour to earn the champions a 1-0 verdict away to Ashington Colliers who look likely to finish third from bottom.

Needing to claim the runners-up spot to gain entry to the Northern League next season, Gillford Park got closer to their target with a 1-0 victory against Heddon at Bullocksteads. Steve Skinner scored their important goal after 57 minutes. And to see off the challenge of their third-placed neighbours Harraby Catholic Club the Park may need to win only one of their two remaining games at home to Wark (on Wednesday) and away to Newcastle University (next Saturday).

Harraby have let things slip, winning only two of their last eight games, and they were restricted to a 1-1 draw by hosts Ponteland United. Billy Holden had a couple of chances for Pont after 15 and 20 minutes but was unable to get his headers from two free kicks on target. And it was the visitors who took the lead after 30 minutes when home keeper Havelock failed to punch clear from a corner kick and Aaron Roberts managed to poke the ball home.

On the hour Ponteland deservedly got back on terms and when Holden’s pass found Lee McIvor he unleashed a fierce drive that flashed past Harraby keeper Milburn. Both teams had late chances to settle the issue but it ended all square. This was the fourth draw in succession for Pont and much credit must go to manager Jarrod Suddick as his team signed off with a ten-match unbeaten run but he is going to have to strengthen the squad in key areas for next season.

Seaton Delaval made certain of a top four finish with a 4-1 win away to Shankhouse and had Stephen Howes and Steve Anderson on target in the opening half. Connal Reed’s goal increased the visitors’ lead and, after Craig Johnson scored from the spot for Shankhouse, John Fitzpatrick completed Delaval’s tally.

Heaton Stannington brought the curtain down on their season in free-scoring style and beat Wark 6-0 at Grounsell Park. Adam Donaghey led the way with his hat-trick for Heaton whose other scorers were Aaron Jewell (2) and Kevin Carr.

Carlisle City also proved to be goal-hungry on their visit to Blyth Town and ended a sequence of five draws on the trot by beating the Northumbrians 5-0. Goals for Stuart Hill and Scott Priest gave City a comfortable interval lead and after the break further strikes by Tom Foster and Jamie Heath (2) completed their nap hand.

Peterlee Town and Murton ended their respective campaigns occupying the bottom two spots in the Premier Division table. A goal-less draw with hosts Newcastle University couldn’t prevent the Newtowners ending up on the bottom rung.

Murton finished only two points better off after losing 3-2 in their last game at home to Alnwick Town. Never getting their noses in front, Murton had David Scott and Lee Doyle on target but Alnwick confirmed victory with goals for Dale Kennedy (2) and Mark Cockburn.

DIVISION ONE – ISSUES STILL TO BE SETTLED
Going into the final week of what has been a long season, four teams – Whitley Bay ‘A’, Stocksfield, Killingworth YPC and Cullercoats – were still vying for the title and the two possible promotion slots in the First Division.

At the end of their own campaign Whitley Bay ‘A’ had amassed an impressive total of 57 points but they were still concerned that they could be overtaken. To pass the Bay’s bench mark their rivals had these respective targets: Stocksfield needed only a point from their final game at home to Cullercoats, while Killingworth had to win their last match at home to Berwick United. And the Cullercoats target, by far the most difficult, was to secure all nine points from outstanding fixtures at home to Gosforth Bohemian Garnett, away to Stocksfield and away to Gateshead Rutherford.

Cullercoats gave themselves an even steeper mountain to climb when they were beaten 3-2 by Percy Main at Purvis Park. The Villagers, completing their own season, were 2-0 down at the interval to goals scored by Rob Watson and Craig Deighton for the Seasiders. But they rallied effectively and ended on a winning note thanks to second half replies from Jason Ritchie, Michael Freathy and Liam Knox who scored his crucial goal in the 88th minute.

At the bottom end of the First Division table, Red Row Welfare and Seaton Burn will be filling the last two places. Seaton Burn will end a disappointing campaign at Wallington this weekend with the Welfare bringing the curtain down at home to Northbank.

Red Row will finish up on the bottom rung but secured a rare victory last weekend, beating visitors Gosforth Bohemian Garnett 2-1. Mike Latimer and Chris Martin netted for the Welfare with Gosforth’s single reply coming from Danny Sherwood.

Wallington had Ashley McAlpine scoring away to Hebburn Reyrolle but were eventually soundly beaten 4-1. Ray Oshin and Craig Walton bagged a brace each for the winners. And Newcastle East End signed off with a convincing 7-2 victory over hosts Berwick United. Lee Walker and Craig Mitchell were on target for the Borderers but the East Enders easily secured the points with goals for Paul Bright (2), Anthony Johnson (2), Michael Rush (2) and Andrew Hall.

Northbank shared the spoils in a 1-1 draw with visitors Rutherford who needed Robbie Frame’s goal to cancel out Mark Worrall’s opener for the Cumbrians.

DIVISION TWO – AMBLE SIGN OFF IN STYLE
Second Division champions Amble United visited a Tynemouth United side at the opposite end of the table to round off an encouraging campaign and beat their struggling hosts 2-0. Ronnie Warwick and Ross Gair scored to ensure a winning finish for United.

South Shields United are runners-up to Amble but will be five points shy of the league leaders’ total if they managed a win at Stobswood Welfare this week.

With the two possible promotion slots already filled, Forest Hall - currently in third place - are likely to be overtaken by Stobswood after being beaten 2-1 in their final game away to Amble FC. Wyn Fremlin and Adam Shanks were the Amble marksmen and club top scorer Michael Reay replied for the Hall.

Newcastle BT finished second from bottom but picked up a point by drawing 1-1 away to Benfield Chemfica who were also ending their season. Dan Jacks opened the scoring for Chemfica and Dave Thompson restored parity for the visitors.

A Tom Phillips hat-trick for Hexham earned them a 3-1 win against Wallsend Town who had been fired in front by Stephen Dodd at Wentworth Park.

It’s been agreed that there will be sixteen clubs operating in the Second Division next season. Only Tynemouth have indicated an intention to resign and there may be only three vacancies to fill. Applications have been received from Cramlington Blue Star, Cullercoats Custom Planet, Kicks FC Wallsend, Swalwell and Throckley United. And officials of these clubs were due to give presentations to the League Management Committee.